A Small Taste of India

The Candor

2 years ago

by Nabiha Asim
STAFF WRITER

Indian Student Association hosts a food stall with various other cultural clubs on campus.

A street food vendor, commonly found in India or Pakistan, visited the Kindlon Atrium on Thursday February 28th. The Indian Student Association (ISA) collaborated with multiple clubs such as Hindu Student Association (HSA), Muslim Student Association (MSA) and Black Student Union (BSU) to provide variety of foods and make it open for everyone.

From 11-2 p.m., students were exposed to different cultural foods such as Chole and Paneer Kabobs served by ISA, Bhel and Vada Pav provided by HSA, Hummus and Pita chips from MSA and Rice Gumbo and Fried Tilapia brought by BSU.

“We wanted a way for the different cultural and religious organizations on campus to come together and give back to the community, while showcasing a huge aspect of our different cultures: food,” ISA President Ajay Pius said.

Starting in spring 2015, ISA has been seeking to reach its goal to create common cultural grounds between individuals despite religious affiliations and differences one finds in India according to the ISA presidents.

“We realized that there are so many religions that people are affiliated within one culture and sometimes it became difficult to participate in all events hosted by other spiritual clubs unless you were of the same religion. Therefore, ISA was a way for everyone to interact without worrying about needing a religious/spiritual connection and were still able to engage in cultural activities,” President Shivani Patel said.
In addition to food stalls, ISA promotes Indian culture with other small events such as Chai and Krispy Kreme sales, Samosa sales, Bollywood movie nights. Larger events include India Night and first time events formal and Taste Around the World which were all executed successfully according to Patel.

“Our events are created in order to bring the student body together whether it is to embrace Indian culture experience the Indian culture. We are proud of who we are and we would like to share this with our classmates,” Patel said.

ISA general body meetings teach students about different aspects culture including Indian weddings, education, the Bollywood film industry and Indian food.